490 Mr. J. Bryce on Striated and Polished Rocks 



"which is very nearly coincident with the direction of the upper 

 part of Windermere and the Vale of Ambleside. As in the 

 former case, the striae and grooves run across the stratifi- 

 cation of the rock, whicli is very hard and tough. The strata 

 are nearly on edge, and range about E.N.E. and W.S.W. 



■ IV. At Birthwaite Church. 



The inclosures of the new church of Birthwaite, about a 

 quarter of a mile further west on the road to Ambleside, afford 

 another remarkable instance. Slate rocks having the same 

 range and inclination here rise above the ground in many de- 

 tached knolls, the surfaces of which in most parts are tra- 

 versed by numerous striae and furrows running very nearly in 

 the direction of the magnetic meridian, as in the instance last 

 given. Some are, however, inclined to this direction, usually 

 at small angles. A few only were noticed, running about 

 N.E. and S. W. These markings are seen not only upon 

 horizontal or slightly inclined surfaces, but are marked hori- 

 zontally even upon those which are vertical or slightly over- 

 hanging. Beyond the inclosure, on the western side, the 

 rocks are similarly marked. 



There is another series of peculiar markings in this locality 

 apparently of posterior date and different origin. These are 

 deeper, and have their edges less worn and rounded, while they 

 are not so much discoloured by weathering as the rest of the 

 rock; and thus they look like artificial furrows made by 

 an iron instrument passing, under great pressure, in parallel 

 lines across the surface. They are numerous and regular, 

 and constant in their direction, which is the same in general 

 as that of the other grooves and striae; they are horizontal 

 upon vertical surfaces ; and hence, as well as from the height 

 of the rock above the surface of the ground, it is difficult to 

 conceive that they have been produced otherwise than by 

 natural causes. I visited the place in company with Edward 

 Wakefield, Esq. of Birklands, and John Elliot Howard, Esq. 

 of Tottenham, near London ; and though we made a length- 

 ened and careful examination of the phaenomena, we felt un- 

 certain what conclusion to deduce, and were all of opinion 

 that, till further evidence was obtained, it would be unsafe to 

 ascribe the whole of these markings to the operation of natural 

 causes. 



V. Detached Markings. 



On the rising ground east of Birthwaite Church, a rocky 

 surface of small extent exhibits striae and grooves running in 

 the same direction, but less perfect than those already described. 



